Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
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Hi:
I don't know if I should have started a new topic but since it was related to taxotere, I thought I'd post it here. I saw the oncologist today and everything ok except my potassium was way down so I got a prescription. She was concerned about the colitis finding on the CT scan the other day but didn't really say why. I didn't have pain when I was there today but tonight I am feeling really strange, it's like a diffuse cramping and my stomach is bloated. I googled colitis and chemotherapy and just came upon an article from 2000 saying 6 women developed colitis from taxane-based agents and two of them died. I don't have a fever. Why do these things always happen at night? Now I'm a nervous wreck. Maybe I should just take an antianxiety medication and go to bed.
Anyone else have problems with colitis and was it resolved or ever heard about it? I did a search here but didn't find much. I am on two antibiotics.
Peeps
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Peeps,
I think the main danger with colitis is infection leading to sepsis, but since you are already on antibiotic therapy and you are not febrile, it sounds like you are covered. I think a lot of women suffer bouts of diarrhea and other bowel problems while doing chemo--not that uncommon. I am not a clinical person so I hesitate to advise you as to the wisdom of taking an antianxiety med vs going to the ER. (You have been through quite a lot the past few days so a good night's sleep wouldn't hurt, I would think) You might try sending a personal message to lanihardage as she has had some of these problems and worked as some kind of healthcare provider. Don't know if it's too late for her to answer. But if you click on her name, you could review her postings and maybe learn something. Hope your tummy settles down and you get a good night's rest.
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We met with the Radiation Oncologist today, who completed her review of my case and determined that radiation therapy is not necessary nor indicated. Whew! Radiation was never part of the original plan since I had a mastectomy and negative nodes, but a question arose as to the adequacy of the margin width at one side of the excised 3 cm tumor. Generally, a 1 cm "clear" margin all around a lesion is desirable, and a less-than 5mm margin is cause for some concern. However, the Radiation Oncologist learned that a re-excision of additional adjacent breast tissue during the surgery did occur (at the pathologist's recommendation), and rendered another couple of mms of clear, (i.e."negative" margins).This is a big relief and means essentially that I am through with treatment and have my life back now.
Next week I will meet with my Onco again, review my (hopefully) improved blood stats and get my Rx for Aromatase inhibitors. Whoo-Hoo.
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HI Everyone:
I have continued to have problems with Colitis type symptoms. As I am looking back at the situation, I had no reaction during the transfusion.... however.....I was thinking about the entire transfusion time. The pre medications ran over one hour. Then the nurse ran the Taxotere and Cytoxan in over probably a total of a half hour total. When she said I was finished I thought to myself, "something is wrong with this picture." I think this can cause hypersensitivity. The only thing that is helping the pelvic cramping is taking Benadryl by mouth (which I started on my own.) I hope that this will go away and that I am not in permanent danger.
Thanks for listening.
Katie2u
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Sandra - your news sounds wonderful and I'm celebrating for you so much!
Also glad you had a great trip to SF- it DOES help to get out and change the scenery!
I rode my horse all over the trails today at Joshua Tree - feel like it greatly improved my SE's!
~ Gail
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Slortiz:
I did take the anti-anxiety and slept a bit. I still have the uncomfortable feeling in my abdomen but the bloating seems to have gone down. I won't call til the day time because I won't go back to the ER. When I went to the oncologist yesterday, she told me that the ER dr. had even tested me for chlamadyia (negative, lol). They were treating me as if I was a regular person off the street with an abdominal pain, not a cancer patient. The ER dr. finally took me seriously when the radiologist called him back about the colitis. It was during the day and I never should have been referred to the ER at all, should have been treated at the cancer center (my onc had the day off). I told the oncologist yesterday that I planned to write a letter about it and she said, "good, maybe they will change the way they do things". I also called my primary care physician and said I would call her the next time my oncologist isn't around.
Thanks for the tip. I willl do a search on those posts in the morning.
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I was surprised my doctor didn't monitor by counts more at all between tx's because I was five days into antibiotics for a bladder infection when I had my first TX which he knew about when we started. Also I told him I had a history of 2 recent bouts of urosepsis. In his defense, my bladder and blood cultures were clear for any signs of the bladder infection when I got to the hospital, but was just surprised he was so nonchalant about the whole thing.
I am also a night owl and guilty of taking my laptop to bed with me. And a 14 year user of hormone replacement therapy from an early complete hysterectomy. Somebody gave me this huge magnet think to stop the waves from my computer, wireless router and microwave. Well, it's not that huge, I wear it in my bra!
Had 2nd TX today. Only side effect was some flushing for about 8 hours after I got home. Today I will have Neulasta and then I think things get achey. She said Neulasta pushes everything out of the bone marrow so you have a really low period before it raises up. That's when the mouth sores come.
I attended a Look good...Feel Better class today which I think is put on by the ACS and various cosmetic manufacturers. They give you $250 worth of cleansers, moisturizers, make-up, etc. and show you how to draw on eyebrows, etc. and put on makeup. Well worth it if you get a chance to go. It's the same place that gives complementary wigs.So sorry about those of you who have to give up dreams of natural children because of this sucky disease. You will be in my prayers that you find a solution that works for you. My knee-jerk reaction at hearing my cancer diagnoses was relief that my son was a young adult and there were no children at home to fear leaving behind. Even though my son is 22, he hasn't handled this well and and has been drinking a lot and suffering depression. I am really the only family he has besides his father and that is not a very supporting relationship. His dad's rection to my son telling him I had cancer was that he hoped I died on the table. So you can see it is understandable the he is overreacting. Enough of his drinking already! My son broke his foot at work about 5 weeks ago and has too much time on this hand. Hopefully he'll be back soon and then he can get on track.
Also they will be monitoring my counts twice between tx 2 and 3. Take care and enjoy this beautiful weekend weather.
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Hi Sandra:
I have an ex likes yours.... probably said the same thing when he heard I had breast cancer. I have a 23 year old daughter who is very close to me and is going through a rough time with it.
Good luck with treatment 2 and 3.
Katie
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My biggest complaint on cancer is that it just refuses to have any boundaries. It touches all of your relationships, your sex life, your family, your future, - just can't keep its nasty paws to itself. In my little world, I'm slowly learning the game with the medical community. If you don't ask specifically, they don't tell you. I think it is because they don't want to overwhelm you, but sometimes I wish I had known options that they just decided weren't right for me. I believe we will all get through this period, and that we will be stronger because of it - but dealing with everything now is tough. As to ex's - there is typically a reason they are ex...after bad mouthing me to the kids for years, they sent their love and articles on cancer being a fungus. sigh. I am fortunate to have a fabulous husband now who is doing his best to figure out how to take care of me. It is hard for the family to see all of the changes - haven't hit the bald yet, but I'm sure that will be a big adjustment for the girls. My youngest just left for college and is having a great time, just worried that she's not here. I'm really glad I didn't go through this her senior year - wouldn't have wanted to miss all of the vball games...so maybe cancer was slightly convienent after all.
Have a great day all - or at least better moments.
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Sandra, that's great news! Congratulations.
Peeps, I get bloated every time on taxotere, have to take smaller meals. The first two cycles I had pretty bad diarrhea/colitis, helped only by the full dose of lomotil. (Immodium didn't work.) It took about 3-4 weeks for it to go away. I still got a touch of it the last two cycles, but my gut seems to be adjusting. The BRAT diet didn't seem to help, just bland foods that you like and be sure to keep drinking a lot. Popsicles and ice can keep you hydrated, too. Hang in there! --Lani
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Iowa:
My 23-yr. old DS is the same as yours. He is very upset about me and calls just about every day. We are very close and he also drinks too much and is easily depressed, the restaurant where he works closed their doors without telling the employees this week so he also has too much time on his hands. Although I have an H here who is physically present, he is totally useless.
Lani: I'm better today. I'm not having any trouble at all drinking or eating. It was the CT scan that showed the colitis, the pain isn't too bad. It's a diffuse-like cramping thing with a mild pain in my back. I just hope if it spreads, that I have some symptoms to take action and that it's not on the weekend.
Seaw: I understand exactly what you're saying about the no boundaries. It's so hard to have no control.
Peeps
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Hi everyone,
Peeps: I'm glad you are feeling better!
Sandra: Congratulations! That's great news.
I went yesterday to pick out my wig. I think I found 2 that I have to chose from when I go back on Thursday (she had to order them for me as the ones she had were way too light for me). I did OK until she had me trying on the scarfs and caps, I almost broke down and cried! I really hate that we all have to go through this! It's bad enough that we have to go through the surgery, chemo & it's side effects - but to lose our hair too!!! It just doesn't seem fair! I keep thinking that I'm going to be fine with it, but I'm sure that when it starts to happen I'll be a mess. I'm really getting nervous about the port placement this Friday. I feel like it's just one more thing I'm doing to my body....My abdominal incision is just about healed (knock on wood!) and the new foob wounds are close to being healed, still giving myself Lovenox injections 2x/day and still having to pack the necrosis area on my upper chest and now I will have a porta cath on the other side! ARGH! Oh well..I just keep telling myself that it could be worse. Then I saw a plaque in a fundraising catalog for my daughter's school that said "I always know God won't give me more than I can handle but there are times I wish he didn't trust me so much." by Mother Teresa. I think that says it all!
Sorry, I just had to vent! I'm feeling a little sorry for myself today.
I hope everyone has a pleasant evening!
Jen
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Hi all,
It's day 4 of treatment #2 for me and am feeling flu-like with some stomach cramping but not as out of it as I was with #1. I think the steriod taper I got helped a lot with that. I have only taken one of the break-through anti-naseua pills, they make me so out of it!! I did get neulasta on Thursday and will be putting myself on Alleve and Ativan to ward off the pain if necessary. Been trying to down the fluids, ice pops, etc. Honestly, the only thing that seems to put the stomach back on the right track is saltines and ginger ale!! Mom's cure all.
Other than not feeling so "out of it" this time, I've noticed that my throat is not bothering me as much this time although I am doing the salt water rinse. I was feeling very weepy this time. Missing my daughter who is off at college and feeling like my son is getting more than his share of this whole cancer thing. He's 14 and amazes me at how resilient he is, although I wonder if he's holding too much in for my benefit. I agree it's not enough that cancer has chosen to invade our bodies, but as a result affects our loved ones as well. Sorry to be bum company, but it just seems to be the wave tonight. A rainy day up here in the Northeast seems to be adding to it.
Overall though, seems that treatment #2 has gone a little better, we'll see what the Neulasta brings.
Sandra - congrats on reaching the end!!! Very good news!
Sue G - Thanks for the Happy Anniversary wishes. We had a great day!
Sherrie
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Peeps1111
I had the diarrhea and cramping for an entire week and it would not go away. I was able to stop the diarrhea but the cramping was still there. I decided to take Benadryl 50 mg by mouth before bed one night and had a symptom free night... the next day I took 25 mg in the morning. For some reason I think the Taxotere may cause a histamine like reaction in the gut and the Benadryl broke the cycle.
Do you think that WBC's dropping to 1.7 by three days after the transfusion and elevated liver enzymes would be enough reason to discontinue treatment altogether? My doc wants to stop after one treatment and I have been seeing everyone with the same side effects that I complained to him of. I had a 1.1 cm tumor, neg lymphs and no known vascular invasion but onco score was 30, ER+, PR-, HER2 -
OH.. one more thing.... I read on another message board on breastcancer.org that Taxotere can cause permanent hair loss?? I was never told that and it really upsets me.
Katie2u
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Hi Katie2u,
You might want to do an internet search of taxotere for the guidelines of when to reduce dose/suspend treatment. I think some liver issues do mean treatment should be stopped, but not sure at what degree or when dose reduction would work instead. It might be worth talking to your doctor about the transfusion speed though - taxotere is supposed to given over an hour, so if you had both drugs in 30 minutes like you said before maybe that would lead to unusual side effects. If it were me (my Oncotype score was 26) I'd ask about alternatives to discontinuing treatment like switching to Abraxane instead of Taxotere or switching to FEC or a different regimen.
Good luck to you,
dcgirl
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Katie:
I can't answer your question about discontinuing treatment but the dr. must feel the risks outweigh the benefits? Are you going to do hormone therapy if you stop the chemo? I would think they would recommend that being that you are ER+. I asked my oncologist why there seems to be little info about PR+, the information seems more indepth on the ER and the HER2. She said chemo seems more effective on the ER+,PR+. I am also PR-. When I reviewed my oncotype DX graphs and charts, it seemed like hormone therapy was the most effective. After looking at the stats, I thought that if I was given only one choice of treatment, either rads, chemo or hormone, that hormone seemed to be the most effective on the ER+, but that was just my chart. My oncotype score was 20. I think I saw something last night about permanent hair loss but I also read that about it being a side effect of Arimidex too.
I've been wondering if one of the reasons that people seem to have a harder time with #2TC or #3 is because when we start out, we are full of hope that we can control the side effects, we are feisty, we try to be pro-active to prevent them but after the first one, we realize we're at the mercy of this disease and after pains, diarrhea, constipation, whatever, we might not be so feisty. We just want to get it done.
I admire all of you so much, especially those with kids at home. Thank God my kids are older and I only have to take care of myself. Hope you are feeling better tonight.
Peeps
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Iowa girl,
Given what happened with your first cycle you may want to insist on blood tests during this one to make sure the dose is now appropriate. Most people seem to have their counts bounce back by the next cycle, but that's not the only reason to test. The reason to check during the cycle is to see if the counts are going/staying too low, which might lead the onco to lower the dose going forward, use G-CSF if it hasn't been used, put you on antibiotics, etc. Since they're lowering your dose you'd think they'd want to see if the new dose is more appropriate - how are they going to determine that without checking your counts? FWIW my nadir changed for the later once my dose was adjusted. I hit zero neutrophils in the first cycle by day 10, but for the subsequent cycles my lowest was somewhere around day 13 or 14.
Good luck with this one!
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HEY ladies. thanks for all the kind words. i am trying to work through things and pray for the best.. i have a question for anyone who has had the neulesta chot twice. in the arm they give it to you in. do you have any pain.. i got my second shot then almost a week late my arm hurts so bad i want to cut it off.. i asked my onco about it on wednesday he thinks its just a side effect. but i think its more.
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Lashon--If you read through past posts, quite a few people complained of unbearable pain in the arm from the Neulasta shot. I opted to have the shot in the stomach area instead because of that. It sounds grisly, but actually did not hurt.
However, I have also wondered if the Neulasta really worked that well with me? I never got the bone pain people complain about, and my WBC went very low despite the Neulasta. The doctor and several other people I consulted said it would not make a difference in effectiveness having it in the stomach vs the arm, but I think otter (or someone else) thought it might be less effective. If anyone knows about this for sure , I wish they would post something for your benefit
Thinking of you. Wish you did not have to be going through this. You are younger than my daughter even and really have your head on straight!! It's SO friggin' unfair.
hugs (but not too tight because of your arm)
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HI Girls:
Thank you so much for your advice. By day 9 my WBC's hand rebounded to 9.1 after being 1.4 two days earlier. I was surprised because this was without Neupogen for a two day period prior since he thought maybe I was having side effects from that. I'm surprised that he didn't offer another treatment but will follow up with him this week. Thanks!
Katie2u
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Katie2u - Good news on your WBC's! Have you been feeling better, too? Thinking of you...
Question again about the hair... Should I expect to lose every last hair or did most of you retain some stubble?
Question about hormones... I am 49 and premenopausal. I was told I would be put into premature menopause due to the chemo. Why does this happen and what should I expect? I am late for my period and am wondering if it will come now that I have had one Tx.
Tx 2 is tomorrow. I feel more nervous about this one than the lst. Wondering if it will be harder?
Blessings on all of you this week.
Meg
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Hi Meg & All,
I think a few of the women on this thread said they kept a little stubble, but most have lost just about all of their hair. My half-inch stubble continues to fall out and I am on day 5 of my second treatment. It would be a nice if we could keep a little of our dignity, albeit a half-inch!!
I am 44 and while I was having some premenopausal symptoms before diagnosis, I was not officially labeled premenopausal. My Onc told me I had a 30-50% chance of being put into full menopause from the chemo. Well, I ended up getting my period right after my first treatment. I'm not really sure as to the specific science of why it happens at all or only to certain people.
So far, my second treatment has been a little easier. I am noticing a little of the tingling feeling in my fingers and toes this time, which I didn't get last time. Hang in there, by tomorrow you'll be able to say you're at the half way mark!
Someone asked about the Neulasta shot. I have gotten the shot twice, both times in the arm. The first one hurt. The nurse said that it was because the shot was still cold. The second shot I got did not hurt as much, but the nurse jiggled my arm while injecting it. She said that it helped for some people.
Best,
Sherrie
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Lashon:
I, too, opted for the Neulasta shot in my stomach after reading it here (thank you) and I had no bone pain at all anywhere. I've had fibromyalgia for 20 yrs. too. The nurse thought it was odd that I asked for the shot in the stomach but then she made a comment that it made sense to do it.
Peeps
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Hi all,
I just wanted to add my experiences in hopes it will help with some of your questions. Like Sherrie, I'm 5 days out of treatment two. TX 2 was a bit harder on me than the first. I literally had ZERO side effects from the first time. This time I've been more sore. My bones, neck, and reconstruction sites are achy but it is not unbearable. I've taken it easy on Saturday and Sunday and that seems to be helping.
Hair - I've cut my hair to 3/4 inch and have lost about half. I started wearing a wig at day 20. My head doesn't look bald ... just patchy like the pictures of nuclear fallout victims. Other hair is thinning as well!
Neulasta - I get mine in my stomach and it did not hurt much at all. This time I had it the day of treatment instead of going back the following day. I don't know if that has anything to do with the extra pain or not. I take Zyrtec and that seems to help with the bone pain.
Menopause - I'm 47 and pre-menopausal. My onc. was sure chemo would put me into menopause. No such luck so far. I had my period right on time after TX 1. We'll see what happens next month.
The one area I can't seem to regulate is my digestive system. I walk a thin line between constipation and diarrhea. I get worried about one and tend to overmedicate which brings on the other!
Best of wishes to everyone.
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Sue,
I just started my four rounds of TC Sept. 25th so we will be more or less in tandem! I'll hold your hand if you hold mine. This is my first time and I had a mastectomy in July. So far I feel strange but it's not too bad. My teeth hurt - maybe that's the neulasta. A tylenol takes care of it. I feel tired but strangely walking around the local mall makes that feel better. No nausea yet - had Chinese food last night - figure I'll eat stuff while it tastes good, then migrate to smoothies and fruit if necessary. I'm scared just because this is all so new and I don't really know what's it's going to be like.
<Hugs> Anne
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Regarding the Neulasta bone pain, their web site says: "the incidence of mild-to-moderate bone pain [is] 57% vs 50% in Neulasta®-treated patients and in placebo-treated [chemo] patients respectively. I didn't have any, and your chances are 1/2 that you won't.
Lashon, your pain may be due to a localized allergic reaction at the site they injected you. You can check with your onc and ask whether you could take Benadryl for it.
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Hi Lani, Sam, Sherrie,
I had no problem with the Neulasta shot at all. Having a little constipation I guess. Little rounds which is not what I usually do at all! There are instructions for diarrhea but not constipation. Am drinking lots of water, they said 48 oz. a day and I am easily do that. I do love ice cubes also!!!
BTW, I still have my hair but am all ready with a really cute hat!!!
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Lani ~
Just read what you wrote about dose-dense. Yeah, this makes sense. Frankly I'm glad txs are 3 weeks apart, I just need to get thru round 1! Evidently 2 is often the worst so when I get thru that I can take a deep breath and look downhill on the other side.
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Good morning!
Meg & Sherrie, I cut my hair really close but have discovered after TX#2 , I still have a very thin, thin covering. Wish I'd left a little more!
It's day 10 and I sure expected full energy back like on TX#1, but still have mild headache and not full energy. I still haven't gotten any Neulasta shots so don't know if it would be worth it given the SE's & pain some people feel.
Anne, glad you are walking the mall - I think getting out is the best med ever, wish you lived close by so you could walk with me in the morning on the desert trails. - getting cooler here.
Samiam - I'm just 5 days ahead of you - but I had a bad 1st TX. This one not as severe but lasting longer.
Deanna - are you still feeling good after # 3? My husband got me B6 so I'll try it.
Take care everyone!
~ Gail
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Having just completed my 4 cycles of TC (with Herceptin added into the last 2), I can answer a few questions from my experience. About the Neulasta - I had to give myself the shot the day after the treatment (we all do here), and the directions that come with the Neulasta give a drawing of places to inject it - it includes the abdomen about 2 inches from the belly button as well as several other places (back of upper arm, abdomen except fro navel and waist, and upper thighs). The nurses told me the place that results in least pain is the abdomen. The injection doesn't hurt. I had some sternal and hip pain 2-5 days after the injection, but it was manageable with tylenol.
I never lost all my hair - I kept a white peach fuzz the whole time, but never went wigless, as you could see my scalp through the fuzz (which was sparse); also my hair is normally salt & pepper (which I usually colour to medium/dark brown), but I lost the salt and the fuzz was all white. Looked weird. I wear wigs almost all the time except when I'm sleeping. I invested in a few VERY COMFORTABLE ones and honestly forget they are not my hair.
Treatment 1 was the worst for me - I had a lot of side effects; they reduced my dose by 15% for treatments 2, 3 and 4 and I had very few side effects after those treatments. Now it's on to radiation and Herceptin for a year for me. Good luck to all.
Gina
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